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Kewell, Emerton to star against Oman and Thailand

Qantas Socceroos Head Coach Holger Osieck has named Harry Kewell and Brett Emerton in his 23-player squad for the upcoming 2014 FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifiers against Oman and Thailand.

Qantas Socceroos Head Coach Holger Osieck today named a 23-player squad for the upcoming 2014 FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifiers against Oman (Muscat, 11 November 2011) and Thailand (Bangkok, 15 November 2011).

Osieck has selected all 18 players who were part of the Qantas Socceroos squad that recently defeated Malaysia 5-0 at Canberra Stadium in Canberra and Oman 3-0 at ANZ Stadium in Sydney.

Coming into the Qantas Socceroos squad are Brett Emerton, Harry Kewell & Mark Schwarzer along with Western Australian Chris Herd who receives his first Qantas Socceroos squad selection and Queenslander Mitch Nichols who returns to the squad after making his debut against Kuwait in the AFC Asian Cup 2011 qualifier in Canberra in March 2009.

The Qantas Socceroos will assemble in Dubai early next week for a short training camp before arriving in Muscat on Thursday 10 November to face Oman the following day at the Sultan Qaboos Stadium.

The Qantas Socceroos will then travel to Bangkok the following day (Saturday 12 November) to prepare for their match against Thailand at the Rajamangala Stadium on Tuesday (15 November).

At this stage Football Federation Australia (FFA) has not been informed by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) of any change to the venue or kick-off time and date for the match against Thailand due to the flood waters that are currently affecting Bangkok. FFA is in daily contact with the AFC regarding the situation and will advise all stakeholders immediately should the match details change.

The Qantas Socceroos are currently at the top of Group D with maximum points from their opening three matches followed by Thailand in second place then Saudi Arabia and Oman.

Both matches will be broadcast live and exclusive throughout Australia by FOX SPORTS.